The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-04
THE SHARP CASE.
Wearisome and Expensive Delay in Securing
aJury-Charges Of Attempted Corruption.

NEW YORK, June 3.-When the Court Of Oyer
and Terminer opened this morning for the trial
of Jacob Sharp there were only eleven jurors in
the box. District Attorney MARITIME to-day cor
roborated the statement that attempts had been
made by somebody to ''nxn jurors in this case,
and that that was the reason for excusing Nc
Elwee and Caldwell. He also corroborated the
report of attempt to corrupt Mr.. Rupfel,
drawn 20 the first panel To reporter Mr..
Peter Pitchell, of counsel for the defense, said:
s'When 1 make this statement you may depend
that have proof OF what say, and you
bet money upon it. Emissaries of the district
attorney have been at work in these cases so as
to give the impression that the defendants have
been attempting to fix jurors, SO that they might
lock them up They succeeded in the of
alderman ONeil, but don't propose that they
shall in Mr. Sharps case. 1t is absurd to sup
poee that Mr.. Sharp any one in his employ
should appr oach Mr.. Rupfel, the district at
torney claims they did, was claimed In the
'O'Neil case. 1t is only an attempt to prejudice
Mr.. Sharps case"
The clerk of the court, after proceedings were
opened, announced that witnesses present on the
part of the people were excused until Monday,
which definitely determines that the actual trial
of the case will not begin before that time, even
though jury be obtained before.
After n number or Jurors mad been excused,
MIR. Parsons read the following statement to the
court:
'aThe attention of the counsel for Mr.. Sharp
has been called to a report which appeared IN
newspaper last evening. imputing to some one
wish and effort to affect jurors. We have seen
in the morning papers statements relating to
the same subject some of which mentioned the
names of jurors who, so far as we know, are of
position and character to preclude the possibil-
lty that uything of the kind relating TO them
conld have occurred. We were grateful TO the
n Friday
last, that If they supposed that any such APP
proach was made. it would be at once brought
to the attention of the court. Any such impu-
tations are injurious to Jurors. 1t assumes the
possibility that improper overtures could be
addressed to them 1t is injurious to Mr.. Sharps
counsel. 1t assumes that they would counte-
nance such proceeding But it is most njurious
20 Mr.. Sharp. 1t tends to deprive him Of that
fair trial which is Ills right. 1t is an attack
which, however illfounded, works it's mischief,
and Investigation is, of course, impossible. 1t
is, perhaps, not suitable for us to make any
statements about belief of the groundless
character of any charge which imputes to Mr..
Sharp, or to his counsel, any such procedure.
Its folly would be great the
wrong. We have come here to try his case ac-
cording to the modes prescribed by the law.
Any Interference by outside statements IS a
contempt of court, and is within it's control. We
do not object to the utmost publicity of the
proceedings in court We cannot perhaps, pre-
vent prejudging of the case by newspaper re-
ports, but specific statements of assumed facts
go beyond the privilege of the press. We feel
called upon to call tho attention of the court to
the first occasion of violation of what we re-
gard as the rule upon the subject With this
statement we submit the subject, in the hope
that no further such occasion will occur, and in
reliance upon the sense of justice of the court
and of the learned district attorney to protect
the jury rights of Mr.. Sharp to fair and impair
ltial trial. now and here, of this most serious
accusation"
Mr. MARITIME said that. as public prosecutor, he
must make some response. The counsel had
read the court his views The difficulty Is
that the statements are founded on facts. Mr..
MARITIME then gave the details OF an attempt TO
influence juror Smith, who had occupied seat
three In the box. The matter, Mr.. Marine said,
had been traced back to a Mr.. Lynch. who is
great friend of Mr.. Sharp The district attorney
lnstanced other cases.
The court ordered that all the persons named
by Mr. MARITIME as being parties to the attempt
should appear in court Monday morning,
when the charges will be investigated.
The remainder OF the dav spent in fruit
less efforts TO complete the jury. Before ad-
iournng court Judge Barrett made a short ad-
dress to tho counsel in the case, in the of
which ne called their attention to the fact that
J. 400 talesmen had been summoned and that
with every fresh panel moro and moro persons
disqualified for jury services were found Il
have ordered the clerk to enter fine of 800
against every talesman summoned who has not
answered to his name" continued his Honor
.'and | intend to have each of these men sum
moned show cause why he should not be pun
ished for contempt of court l will examine
the offenders in the first seven hundred sum
moned on Monday morning, and those of the
second seven hundred on Tuesday morning. If
they do not then respond. | will see what virtue
there is in attachment"
The Judge then again warned the jury to
avoid conversation with anyone whosoever
the subject of the trial. and sterDly directed
them to Immediately inform the court of any
verbal or written attempts to influence their
verdict
Earthquake in California.
SAN Francisco. June 3. An earthquake
80.